A company has just discovered a material error in the financial statements. The error goes back six years, affecting both the income statement and the balance sheet each year. How should the company correct this error? Should all financial statements be revised, or should the company stick with its normal reporting of two years for the balance sheet and three years for the income statement and statement of stockholders’ equity? Can you explain how a prior period adjustment works, if applicable?

Principles of Accounting Volume 1
19th Edition
ISBN:9781947172685
Author:OpenStax
Publisher:OpenStax
Chapter4: The Adjustment Process
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 4TP: Assume you are employed as the chief financial officer of a corporation and are responsible for...
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A company has just discovered a material error in the financial statements. The error goes back six years, affecting both the income statement and the balance sheet each year.

How should the company correct this error? Should all financial statements be revised, or should the company stick with its normal reporting of two years for the balance sheet and three years for the income statement and statement of stockholders’ equity? Can you explain how a prior period adjustment works, if applicable?

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